Bergepanther No. 212132

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Ulater
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Bergepanther No. 212132

#1

Post by Ulater » 07 Feb 2020, 23:10

Evening, Im trying to find information on this particular bergrepanther mentioned in Nachrichtenblatt Der Panzertruppen, No.12, in June 1944.

Image

"IX Exceptional achievements of tank drivers

1. Achievements of a Panther recovery tank drivers

Performance of a Panther-recovery tank driver. Unteroffizier Krause of a Panther workshop platoon has up to 3 May 1944 driven his Panther recovery tank – Chassis No. 212132 – 4,200km without an engine change or damage to the transmission, including the final drive units, gearbox and drive shaft. Approximately 1,000km of this was made towing a Panther tank. The vehicle and engine are still in excellent condition and continue to be operational.

Inspector General of tank forces awards a special recognition of service to Unteroffizier Krause."

So far, I was able to determine that it was one of 12 Bergepanther D vehicles built in June 1943. Is there any way to trace/verify where and with what units it served?

Jan-Hendrik
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Re: Bergepanther No. 212132

#2

Post by Jan-Hendrik » 08 Feb 2020, 08:42

Could be this man:

DKiS
Krause, Kurt, 05.04.1945, Feldwebel, Pz.Werkst.Kp./Pz.Rgt. 1

Jan-Hendrik


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Xavier
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Re: Bergepanther No. 212132

#3

Post by Xavier » 09 Feb 2020, 01:12

did he survive the war?

Ulater
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Re: Bergepanther No. 212132

#4

Post by Ulater » 09 Feb 2020, 14:29

Jan-Hendrik wrote:
08 Feb 2020, 08:42
Could be this man:

DKiS
Krause, Kurt, 05.04.1945, Feldwebel, Pz.Werkst.Kp./Pz.Rgt. 1

Jan-Hendrik
Thank you. Which panzerdivision would that be? And though it is helpful, I doubt that there was only one Krause working with recovery units.

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Re: Bergepanther No. 212132

#5

Post by Jan-Hendrik » 09 Feb 2020, 14:52

1.Panzerdivision.

Jan-Hendrik

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Re: Bergepanther No. 212132

#6

Post by Ulater » 09 Feb 2020, 16:34

Jan-Hendrik wrote:
09 Feb 2020, 14:52
1.Panzerdivision.

Jan-Hendrik
Thanks. Were there any units with bergepanthers they absorbed? Because I know that there were a few units established and armed before them. What do you think about how they got their hands on 8th Bergepanther ever produced (converted)?

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Re: Bergepanther No. 212132

#7

Post by Yoozername » 10 Feb 2020, 04:46


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Re: Bergepanther No. 212132

#8

Post by Yoozername » 11 Feb 2020, 20:07

Not that it helps, but it is interesting, that on Jan 15, 1945 there were about 250 BergePanther in divisions/units. The 1 Panzer Div. had 6 (2 in repair). This actually is among the most listed for reporting Divisions and units.

Not to disparage the feat, but I would imagine that other recovery vehicles did not do as well. While not having all the weight of a turret, ammunition, etc. would help, dragging Panthers around doesn't. The upkeep and repair of these vehicles might have had priority also. Certainly the models with the large winch must have been prized. But many were refurbished from recovered Panthers sent 'homeland'.

BergeTiger were rare as were BergePanzerIV. BergePanzer III were somewhat common and T34 and 38T variants still around in numbers. StuG units seemed to like T34 as a Trophy prize.

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